Sezane is one of my favorite French brands, and luckily, you don’t have to fly to France to experience their beautiful clothing because they ship to the US and Canada! I have slowly amassed quite the collection of Sezane pieces, ranging from coats and pants to bags and shoes, and every item I receive has the same, high-quality feel as the next.
Given that the brand first started as a seller of vintage clothing, most Sezane pieces have a slight retro feel to them while simultaneously being modern, yet classic. Think silk tops, button details, and tailored suiting; all made to last and with that effortless Parisian flair.
There are two big things to know when shopping Sezane: Their pieces tend to sell out quickly and since they utilize French sizing, it can be hard to decide which size is your right size. Although their website is fairly helpful when trying to figure out your US size, French sizes tend to run small compared to American sizes. However, returns are free, so you can order multiple sizes if you’re not sure what will fit you best.
Here are my shopping and sizing tips for Sezane.
SHOP THe pieces: Tomboy Shirt | Martin Crop Trousers | Claude Bag | Jessie Heeled Loafers
Sezane Size Guide and Shopping Tips
Know When New Collections Drop
Over the past couple of years, Sezane has built a cult following. And since they are a sustainable, certified B Corporation, the don’t produce large quantities at once in effort to lower their manufacturing carbon footprint. So, the items can sell out quickly, especially if it’s a big seasonal collection. But if you know when new arrivals hit the site, you’ll have a better chance of grabbing what you want.
- Four times a year (on a Sunday), Sezane releases a large, seasonal collection.
- Once a month (on a Sunday), they release a small capsule collection.
- Every Wednesday and Sunday they release restocked items and any late arrivals that may be a part of a collection. Usually there a couple new pieces on these days.
It’s important to note that all collections release Sunday at 9:30AM Paris time. If you’re shopping in Los Angeles and you’re wanting to shop a new collection immediately, you actually need to be online Saturday night/Sunday morning at 12:30AM. If you’re shopping in New York City, you need to be online around 3:30AM to catch new arrivals.
Over time, I do think the brand has figured out how to saved some stock for US customers, as the sell out issue isn’t as bad as it previously was. However, if you spot an item you truly love, set that alarm!
You can sign up for emails or follow them on Instagram to get a sneak peak at new arrivals. I like to do this because then I can go in with a game plan when I shop.
For big collections (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Holiday), they also publish a beautiful online lookbook that features everything for the upcoming season.
Utilize Stock Alerts
Although things sell out quickly, it’s honestly not ideal to have to stay up super late just to shop on Paris time. So, you may find that things sell out before you have the chance to buy what you want. However, that doesn’t mean you’re totally out of luck. As mentioned above, Sezane does restock items, which includes not only returns but new size runs of certain pieces.
If you create a free account on the site, you’re able to make an on-site stock alert. You can come back to this page to easily check if something you want becomes available.
Free Shipping & Returns
Before I get into my sizing guide, you should know about Sezane’s shipping and returns policies.
They offer free shipping on anything over $200 and free returns if you’re located in the US. If you’re on the fence about which size to get, order multiple sizes to ensure you find your correct fit. Tax and duties are already included in your payment. HOWEVER, be careful not to spend over $800 in a single purchase, otherwise the courier will charge you separate taxes on your order. (I learned this the hard way on my first purchase.) Sezane does have a message that will appear during checkout if you’ll get this extra charge, but it’s just something to be mindful of when shopping.
Shipping is quick (about 3-5 days). Returns are easy and quick, with money back into your account a lot sooner than most US brands’ refunds.
SHOP THe pieces: raquel dress | artemis belt | max shirt | basille cardigan
Sezane Sizing
Every page on the Sezane site will have a link to the size chart along with sizing recommendations for that specific item. However, I have personally found that Sezane sizing runs a little slim and for the most part, I always go a size up from my regular size.
When looking at the Sezane size chart, you’ll notice letter sizes at the very bottom of it (XS, S, M, and so on). You’ll see that for example, a Sezane S is equivalent to a US 4 or 6. However, I have found that these letter sizes still run smaller than the US letter equivalent.
For reference, I am 5’4” and around 130 pounds. I wear a size 4/27 in Madewell. For non-Sezane tops I typically wear size small, but I am a bit bigger in the chest and sometimes prefer mediums.
For Sezane items, I am almost always wear a size 6 and/or a medium (FR 38).
I’ve tried nearly every category Sezane makes and are my sizing recommendations for each.
Sweaters
Sezane sweaters do run true to size. But it’s my personal preference to go up a size on most sweaters, regardless of the brand. Sezane sweaters have a slimmer, French cut, so they’re not going to be as oversized as US styles. You’ll notice on the Sezane website that the French tuck them in like shirts. Unless something is intentionally designed and cut as oversized, I prefer to take the next size up, a size M.
Their best-selling sweater is the Gaspard Cardigan, a classic, goes-with anything item that looks just as cute tucked into jeans as it does unbuttoned over a dress or thrown over your shoulders. I wear a medium in this sweater so that my chest has some extra room and doesn’t pull on the buttons.
SHOP THe pieces: max shirt | gaspard cardigan | Le Crop Jeans
Tops
For tighter tops, their classic crew t-shirt, and eyelet/lace tops, I go up one size. However, most of the brand’s silky blouses and flowy tops run true to size and I take my normal US size.
If you have a larger chest, I recommend sizing up as a general rule of thumb. Just like with any brand, you may find some exceptions where you won’t need to do so. If this isn’t a concern for you, you can probably take your regular US size. Don’t forget that since shipping is free over $200 and Sezane offers free returns, this category might be where you want to order multiple sizes.
SHOP THe pieces: RENEKA DRESS | ROMANE JACKET | Nano Romie BAG
Dresses
I’d rather have my dresses be a little looser because I find it uncomfortable to constantly pull at the fabric. Although I’m a pretty solid size 4 in US dresses, I wear a size 6 or FR 38 in Sezane dresses.
Blazers, Coats & Jackets
For sizing on Sezane coats and jackets, consider where or how you’ll wear the item. If you plan on wearing a coat with a thick sweater or many layers, then go up a size so that your coat won’t feel too tight on your arms or in the shoulders. If you live somewhere warmer and plan to only wear a tee under your jacket or coat, then you can likely take your normal size.
The Will Jacket is a Sezane staple. I’m wearing the leather version below, but it also comes denim and twill. This is a size 6, and as you can see, works with a light layer under it.
SHOP THe pieces: Will jacket | romane jacket | Nano RomiE Bag | Loulou Trousers
Sezane Jeans, Pants, and Skirts
I have a love hate relationship with Sezane jeans. And this seems to be the general consensus when chatting with friends and followers who have also tried their denim.
The only pair that seems to generally fit is the Le Crop jean. I have a few novelty jeans from them. And while run ran TTS, the other pair I had to go up a whole two sizes.
I am 5’4” and their jeans are made for slender, tall women. Although the brand’s jeans don’t fit my body, the denim quality is fantastic (and as someone who worked in the premium denim industry for years, I know a lot about denim). I envy whoever has the body for Sezane jeans because I really like them!
Their trousers and pants, however, deserve major praise. I’ve quickly accrued a handful of Sezane pants, and I love them. You will definitely want to go up one size on them. They’re all long, but I just get them hemmed by my local tailor. My favorite style is the Loulou Trouser, a classic pant with wide legs that drape perfectly. I wear a size 6 or FR 38.
I wear the same sizing in their skirts.
SHOP THe pieces: Tomboy Shirt | Martin Crop Trousers | Claude Bag | Jessie Heeled Loafers | AMY LOAFERS
Sezane Belts
Sezane makes thee types of belts: traditional hip belts, waist belts, and belts with sliding buckles that don’t have holes; each have different size scales.
For traditional hip belts, I wear a size 85. For sliding buckle belts, I have the Atemis Belt to wear around my natural waist and went with the 90 size. Again, for reference, I’m a 4/6 or 27/28.
Shoes
I have a few pairs of sandals, boots and other shoes from Sezane. For the most part, I’ve found that Sezane footwear pretty true to true to size. I am a solid shoe size 7, and this rarely differs from brand to brand for me.
For all their footwear with an open heel in the back (like sandals or clogs, or the Paula Babies) I take my usual size 7. I find that some other footwear options like loafers and boots run a little wide in the heel. However, I still take my normal size and then add heel grips to keep mine in place. If you are in between sizes, I still recommend ordering your true size, along with a size smaller to see where you land.
SHOP THe pieces: Le Crop Jeans | Paula Babies
I’d say the only special call out is for the the Andre loafers: they run very large. So I would go down at least one size on this specific shoe.
Remember, shipping is free over $200 and there are no added duty fees so long as you stay under $800. If you have tried Sezane shoes, I’d love to know how you feel about the sizing so I can get more info to share in this post.
Sezane Bags
Although Sezane handbags don’t really need a size guide, I do want to call out how much I love them.
Sezane leather bags are 100% leather and made in Italy, so they’re really high quality and feel it. I own a few different bags from them: Mini Milo, Claude, and Nano Romie, as well as the Paloma Basket, which is perfect for summer and farmer’s market runs.
With the Mini Milo and Claude, I’m able to fit a small card case, my keys, phone, and a lip gloss. (I can also squeeze in a pair of sunglasses into the Claude!)
SHOP THE PIECES: Mini Milo BAG | Nano Romie BAG | Claude BAG
I’m a big believer in investing in well-made pieces. And you can tell that Sezane pays attention to the details in their designs and their construction. Even opening a Sezane package feels luxurious, with custom labels touting your name and well-wrapped items inside each bow.
Once you figure out your Sezane sizing, I think you’ll really love the brand and find yourself obsessing over everything they make, just like I do. This is really a brand you’ll have in your closet for years.
